Midwives, doulas, anyone with knowledge of 'big babies' and GD. I need your advice please.

[Ceolas]

I am currently 15 weeks pg with my 5th baby. The 4 I have weighed in thus:

DD1 - 8lbs 12oz
DD2 - 8lbs 4oz
DS - 10lbs
DD3 - 8lbs 9oz

When I was pg with DS, I was always measuring ahead of dates. I had a GTT (can't remember when, 32-ish weeks) which was normal. I delivered him vaginally with no problems.

So, when I was pg with DD3 everyone was a bit nervous. I had a GTT at 28 weeks "because I'd had a previous big baby", which again was normal.

Apart from DS's size, I've never had any other sign of GD. Never had glucose in blood or urine. From the reading I've done into GD so far, the only other factor seems to be my BMI (35 at 12 weeks), but this has been constant for last 3 pregnancies anyway.

When I booked I said I'd rather not have a GTT this time and the midvife (team leader) said she'd prefer to speak to the consultant. The consultant recommended GTT at 28 weeks and growth scan at 34. I'm torn between 'playing the game' particularly as I want a hb, and refusing.

Any opinions?

Is my BMI (or diet) any influence on the baby's birth weight? This hasn't been mentioned as a factor, only DS weight.

My second baby was 11 lb and 4 oz. I am currently 27 weeks with my third. I measured 26 weeks at 25 weeks appt. I now have possible growth scan at 37 weeks written in my notes. I have a routine GD blood test next week at 28 weeks. I did not have GD with DS.

TBH I am glad they are keeping an eye on me. I also have a high BMI so think that can contribute to big babies. But I also read recently that a high BMI can also lead to have a very small baby...

Your babies haven't been spectacularly huge especially the girls and 5th babies tend to be smaller than previous biggies. If you've delivered easily I'm not sure about all the fuss?

Even after dd2 was 10lb6oz they were completely unconcerned about me having a huge baby that I could deliver and let me book for home birth.

Sorry I'm only a mum!

I have had 4 children
DS-7lb11
DD1-6lb9
DD2-9lb
DD3-8lb12

The last two children were born at home. (the biggest ones!!) I was never diagnosed with GD and my BMI has always been fairly average around 22 so I really don't think BMi has much to do with it.
Were any of your others born at home?
The weights of your children are not that large anyway..
You may just have so called big babies..
Did you have any problems birthing your babies?

As for as hospital test you don't have to do anything you don't want to. They are not going to turn you away and leave you on your own just because you don't want a test.

I didn't have GD btw and I measured small for dates with my big babe and they completely panicked after she was born about GD but she was absolutely fine.

Yes, DD3 was born at home without incident. Had forceps delivery with DD1 but the rest have been SVD.

I know that I can deliver a 10lber OK and it seems unlikely I'd get one much bigger than that

If you did have undiagnosed GD then there's every chance that you could have a baby bigger than 10lbs!

Your BMI is a factor in how likely it is that you'll develop GD, and what you eat will influence the baby's birth weight if you have GD.

I would have the test personally - you've really nothing to lose (except a couple of hours!).

[I had a GTT at 28 weeks with dd, which was clear, and she was 9lb when born at 40+6. With ds I had a GTT at 17 weeks, and I just failed it. I controlled my GD through diet, delivered at 40+9 and he weighed 8lb 4oz.]

"I would have the test personally - you've really nothing to lose (except a couple of hours!)."

See, I kind of agree with that sentiment, but I hate being subjected to unnecessatry testing...

is the issue that if you test positive they will automatically refuse homebirth?

It's a three blood tests and a sugary drink. No effect on the baby. I have a BMI of 18, and had to have the test because mum is borderline type II. Just have it.

You will need to talk to them about your Trust's policy to be sure of that, but even then you may be able to negotiate if you show that you can control the GD well.

It will only be an issue if you test positive anyway, and really you don't want to have GD without knowing about it - too many possible risks to baby.

I had a 10lb 2 oz baby. They did the GTT, but I refused growth scans. If my blood sugar was OK (which it was) and everything was fine, I wasn't concerned about the baby being big.

sorry, should have said, this was for my second pregnancy (after having the 10 lb-er!).